M-Cubed celebrates a successful first decade

A student with a microphone in her hand sits at a table while speaking.

A decade ago, three leaders of Milwaukee’s largest public educational institutions joined forces to improve graduation rates and provide talent that would fill job openings.

On Thursday, representatives from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College and Milwaukee Public Schools gathered to celebrate the success of M3, a joint initiative of the three institutions.

“M-Cubed started out as a dream shared by Vicki Martin, MATC’s president at the time, and former MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver and myself,” UWM Chancellor Mark Mone said at the celebration at MATC’s campus. “We began this partnership to help students progress from high school to college to the workforce more efficiently.”

A high school student with a microphone in his hand sits at a table.
MATC student Victor Lo tells the gathering how M-Cubed helped him. (MATC photo)

More than 150 people turned out for the event, which featured remarks from Mone, MATC President Anthony Cruz and MPS Interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan, as well as a panel of students of each of the institutions.

The students spoke of how they personally benefited from many of the M3 programs, from gaining confidence and college credits through dual enrollment to establishing study skills through the transition programs.

M3 has created several programs to drive student success:

  • Smart Start helps ease the transition for students graduating from high school and preparing to enter college by offering support through applications, registering for classes, summer programs and the first year of higher education.
  • Direct Admit streamlines the MATC and UWM college application process by providing one form that is free and takes only five minutes for MPS juniors to complete.
  • Work-Based Learning provides students with real-world experiences through job fairs, internships and job shadowing.
  • College Connections is a dual enrollment program in which MPS seniors can earn college credits during their final year of high school.
  • Milwaukee Parent Institute equips MPS families with the knowledge and skills to help their students graduate and prepare for higher education.

The results of students participating in these programs have been impressive, officials said.

  • 900 MPS juniors in the class of 2025 submitted streamlined college applications through Milwaukee Direct Admit.
  • Since 2019, more than 700 MPS seniors have earned 8,000 college credits from UWM and MATC through the College Connections initiative, saving nearly $2.6 million in tuition.
  • Since 2018, 5,000 MPS students have participated in work-based learning and job fairs to explore careers.
  • 10,000 freshmen and sophomores have toured MATC and UWM campuses since 2017.
  • More than 61% of MPS seniors in the class of 2024 completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), surpassing both the national (54%) and Wisconsin (47%) averages and unlocking greater access to college.

Jesus Ruiz Villamil, a native of Colombia who graduated from MPS’ South Division High School in 2024, earned 25 credits through the M3 College Connections dual enrollment program, visited campuses and also engaged in the Smart Start program. Today, he is studying linguistics at UWM.

“Being able to visit campuses allowed me to visualize myself in college,” he said. “Smart Start answered a lot of my questions, and I started college on the right foot.”

Samia Bell, a senior at MPS’ Vincent High School, feels only excitement about her educational future. Through M3, she has taken college classes, visited college campuses and learned about financial aid.

By the time she graduates this spring, Bell will have earned 22 college credits. Her biggest decision will be where to go: She has already been admitted to 18 colleges and offered full-ride scholarships at four of them.

“I have got a glimpse of what is out there for me,” Bell said. “The M-Cubed programs are preparing me.”

A man stands at a podium while addressing a roomful of people.
UWM Chancellor Mark Mone talks about how M-Cubed started and how far it has come over its first 10 years. (MATC photo)

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